Lagerfeld's Pirelli 2011 Calendar Unveiled
Earlier today in Mosco, Lagerfeld unveiled the 2011 Pirelli Calendar, now in its 38th edition, at the prestigious Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko theatre (WWD reports Ritz-Carlton hotel).
“The Cal 2011” features the creative genius of the multi-faceted artist *Karl Lagerfeld*, whose sense for art and aesthetics is renowned throughout the world. -Pirelli.com
Shot at his Paris studio, Lagerfeld's theme for the issue was Mythology. And covers tales of the Greek & Roman mythology, showing 24 different subjects, including gods, heroes and myths.
The calendar is made up of 21 protagonists, in 36 black-&-white photos. There are 15 female models, 5 male models, and actress Julianne Moore as Hera the wife of Zeus.
The models are: Italian models Bianca Balti and Elisa Sednaoui; Danish model Freja Beha Erichsen; Brazilian model Isabeli Fontana; Polish models Magdalena Frackowiak and Anja Rubik; Australian model Abbey Lee Kershaw (who debuted in the 2010 Calendar by Terry Richardson); Indian model Lakshmi Menon; American models Heidi Mount and Erin Wasson; Russian model Natasha Poly; Dutch model Lara Stone and Canadian model Daria Werbowy; Austrian model Iris Strubegger; and Jamaican model Jeneil Williams. The 5 male models are Baptiste Giabiconi and Sébastien Jondeau (French), Brad Kroenig and Garret Neff (American), and Jake Davis (British).
Now that that's all said and done, in my opinion any decent photographer could have shot these images. They come off more like test shots than an official artistic creation.
Update: Modelinia lists the 15 models and their characters.
Amen John! You said it.
Everyone in the business knows Karl is not a real photohrapher (that's why he only shows up on set hen his assistants have set up everything to "push the button") but the worst part is..
if technically he knows nothing, I don't think artistically his pictures are woth a dime either. I can name 100 photogrpahers who would have done a better job.
This calendar is now simply ridiculous !!
How could they pick up this "photographer" when u know the budget PIRELLI invest in such a production. Can't be worst....
It's an insult to all prestigious photographer who had shot it in past
I admire karl, but this calendar is 'uninspiring' to say the least. It does have a minimalist, fine art feel, but that's it. I think Pirelli was hoping for much more from such a big name.